Another New Social Networking Site

I don't know if anyone has heard or been a part of foursquare, but it is the newest addition to the social networking family. It seems similar to twitter and facebook, but puts a spin on the idea by giving members points which then ranks them among other members. It also focuses more on connecting people on a local level. Here is where you can find more information:

http://www.imediaconnection.com/content/25745.asp

Culture Code

Below are the two commercials which I have presented last class:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZ-riRpbWGs&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFZf3UXtuXE&feature=related

Bart Decrem to speak @ Webster University

In class last night I mentioned that the School of Business and Technology will be hosting a speaker who has achieved success creating iPhone apps.

Bart Decrem is currently the CEO of Tapulous which produced "Tap Tap Revenge" a hugely successful music game series for the iPhone. He has previously worked as head of Marketing and Business Affairs for Mozilla and was a founder and CEO of Flock.

According to the SBT info Decrem will be speaking not only about past successes but also about the debut of his latest app "Riddim Ribbon" which is already breaking sales records.

You can RSVP for the event here.

Read more about Decrem and see a video of his latest apps debut on the SBT blog.

Crunch Bade profile on Bart Decrem

Washington Post "With One Huge Hit Under Its Belt Tapulous Debuts Another Music Game Series: Riddim Ribbon"

Keep Walking

While I was reading the chapter on the code alcohol, I knew what Rapaille was saying and for the most part I agreed with it, however I found a great commercial for Johnnie Walker that really resonates with the codes for quality and for America and goes against what Rapaille is saying about the code for alcohol. Take a look:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jO2NYUvirGI&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovMbBEZNXuE&feature=related

Quality = It works?

I just saw this commercial again today and I had forgotten what car company it was for, at first when I saw it i thought it was a great example of the code for QUALITY .... IT WORKS, however after I realized what car company it was for, I laughed because now they are in real trouble. Because the message they are sending to the consumer in this ad, is directly contradicted by recent events. Take a look for yourself:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vhuXaANaSU

Become one of us by becoming none of us.

When I read Rapaille's section about the PT Cruiser and the code for cars in the United States being Identity I immediately thought of Scion. In their commercials they don't show anything about the performance or specs of the cars. All they show is the potential for customization of the exterior of the car. The Scion brand is all about personalization and showing your identity through the car you drive. Since Toyota, a Japanese company, owns scion I found advertising for the Scion xB in Japan where it's called the Toyota bB.



There are definitely some changes in presentation. The Japanese version shows people enjoying and using the car and doesn't focus solely on the ability to alter the exterior. Toyota created the Scion brand for North America. They created a brand that would align itself with our code, according to the book. Still, I don't know anyone that has customized their scion.  What opinions do you all have of the brand and it's advertising? Has it been effective?

Codes for Beauty and Fat

I must say that I enjoyed Rapaille's " The Culture Code". Although I like the book as a whole, the code Living on the Axis- The Codes for Beauty and Fat. In American culture, women are obsessed with looks and weight. If you look good and are in shape then from the outside it looks as life is good. It is fascinating how women associate being beautiful with a man. It is agreeable that we as women love the compliments of of a man, especially one that we are interested in. When we go out we want to be the prettiest lady that will attract the attention of a man. Because of the culture we live in, we put emphasis on beauty. Some may say it's what's on the inside, but men notice the outside first. It is agreeable with Rapaille that if you get a man to notice you in a way more than sex and you find the beauty in that woman, then you have saved yet another man from being considered an animal, but a better human being. Sure men may disagree with the code, but it is true. American women want to be thin and attractive, and if you lack one or both characteristics then you are not celebrated but discriminated against. Therefore I agree with the code for beauty and fat in America. It digs into the deeper side of reasons why America is so concerned with physical appearance. Igot two ads below based off beauty and being thin. Theses ads validate Americas code of beauty and fat.
Beauty(Beyonce selling direct tv(to men) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Jubz1Ini-o
Fat: Special K is always promoting thinness to women-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JH-AZDdDC0E
Anyone see the diffrerences? These two are saying men focus on tv and relaxing, while women should focus on appearance and weight. All in all I gree with the code!

Code for Luxury

This is a :30 second Hyundai Sonata spot from the Super Bowl. It depicts Brett Farve still playing in the year 2020 and earning an MVP Award. As Rapaille discusses in Chapter Nine, this commercial denotes America's code for luxury which he describes as "Military Stripes". After all, no NFL player has more 'military stripes' than Brett Farve. Farve comes with a "recognition of goodness" and quality, the same of which Hyundai wants people to believe about it's product

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVYxU1OHumM

While I was reading the chapter on codes for health and youth, Rapaille talks about americans always wanting to feel youthful. I found this great clip of a television commercial that ran for Suave hair products, it really hit the middle aged mom demographic hard showing them how to postpone looking old, if you use there hair products.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nfGQ0FVooU&feature=related

Chapter Five: Revenge of the Giant Face

This is a link to the scene from Inglourious Basterds that I chose to analyze. The production elements in this scene are very bold, from the color, music, lighting. It's almost like the song was written for this movie.

Click Link: Chapter Five

Sex in the City - The Post-it Breakup

This is my favorite show also. The scene posted is a perfect example of women of our culture and how we see things so very different from men. In all her to-do about not understanding why "Burger" her boyfriend did not want to break-up with her face to face. Yet in her behavior it was very clear to the men, is a great reflection of how cultural attitudes toward a particular group, such as women are formed and reinforced. Her flying off the handle, their I'm really scared she has gown crazy look on the guys face, clearly said it all.

The negative reinforcement of cultural myths - regarding who's the father.

I think that in the case of the Maury P. Show's portrayal in his show of helping several couples who may have children together, but are not sure because they have slept around, is a show that over time reinforces the cultural myths (such as it's alright to sleep around and make babies without being married) has become a mythic reality because people really think that is ok to do this, and it is becoming more and more common in various age groups. As the ratings for this show increases, even people who may not agree with this type of lifestyle, are taking time out of their day to watch this trash. How low are our morales.

Media and Popular Culture: You Are Not The Father!

I'm pretty sure that you have heard the infamous phrase on one of the most popular daytime talk shows of all time- Maury Povich. This "popular" program meets the approval of a large number of audiences. Maury is known for his paternity test shows. When watching we know that we will be entertained. I realize that this show has a mass audience and for that they continue to produce theses type of shows. I think this show reflects our culture today. Back in the day the this sort of show would not have gotten any ratings. Nowadays our culture places value and cultural preoccupations on theses type of issues. In our society we would rather watch television about a female having five kids with many men, not knowing who the father is. Therefore do you think our culture's preoccupation will continue to be of sex and infidelity? I think that the media is so open now the the importnce of these issues will remain a high priority and we will continue to see shows like Maury Povichfor years to come.

You Are Not The Father! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQFlmjB0gg8

Framework Example - "Band of Brothers"

This is the media example I am using for this weeks paper. It is the opening scene from episode two "Day of Days" from the HBO Band of Brothers series. I notice that we're talking about media as a reflection of historical context this week, and as far as I'm concerned, "Band of Brothers" is one of the greatest historical reenactment depictions in film history. CURAHEE!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0c4b0WGWDus